ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY

The following guidelines allow coaches and swimmers to gain the most from every practice session.  The coaching staff feel strongly about getting maximum return on the time spent in practice, and ask that all swimmers and parents understand these policies. 

Each training group has specific attendance expectations appropriate for the objectives of that group. The least possible interruption in the training schedule will produce the greatest amount of success. Swim practice is the most important facet of the program.  Although competition is the test of a swimmer’s ability, practice is where the potential and foundation for achievement is established.  Practice schedules vary by group.  Swimmers must attend practice on a regular basis in order to give themselves a chance to achieve their potential as a swimmer.

The expectation level of coaches is that practice attendance increases as swimmers move to older groups. We believe each swimmer should strive to attend all practices offered based on the goals and desired outcomes for that swimmer. Please ask your group coach what to expect in any individual circumstances. 

Punctuality

Practice starts, in the water, promptly at the specified time.  At the designated starting time, swimmers should bring all required equipment to the deck and be ready to jump into the pool.  Punctuality is essential to a distraction-free training environment.  Swimmers who arrive late for training sessions and meets not only disrupt the team’s rhythm and momentum, but negatively impact their own development in terms of inadequate warm-up, missing important instructions regarding the objectives of the session and training sets.  

For the safety and protection of swimmers, they should arrive at the pool no more than 15 minutes before practice starts and be picked up immediately after practice. It is imperative that the swimmers arrive on time so that the coaching staff can efficiently use the allotted time; however, it is also extremely important that children not be left unsupervised at the pool prior to or after practice. 

The coaching staff is NOT responsible for supervising athletes prior to or after a practice session. Each swimmer should plan to stay the entire practice as each practice is designed to be most beneficial when completed in its entirety.

 If your child needs to be dismissed early from practice, please notify the coach via email before practice begins. This ensures that the coaching staff is aware of the location of all athletes during a workout session. All practice groups are expected to be at their designated starting place with their practice equipment ready to start practice on time. Swimmers must notify their coach if they leave the pool and/or pool deck at any time during the practice.